A Kansas City priest is expected to plead guilty in a federal child pornography case that led to misdemeanor criminal charges against his bishop and the Catholic diocese. A lawyer for the Rev. Shawn Ratigan said the priest planned to plead guilty during a hearing Thursday afternoon. He was scheduled for trial later this month for production, possession and attempted production of child porn.

In December 2010 a technician found "troubling images" of children Ratigan's laptop computer. The photos weren't turned over to police until May 2011, after Ratigan violated orders from Bishop Robert Finn to stay away from children.

Finn and the diocese are charged in Jackson County with failing to report suspected child abuse to the state. Both have pleaded not guilty.